Euro 2004 winners Greece are out of this summer's tournament after crashing to a 1-0 defeat against Russia in Salzburg.Otto Rehhagel's side produced a much-improved performance compared to the dismal display in their opening Group D clash against Sweden, but were beaten by Konstantin Zyrianov's first-half goal.
Russia now meet Sweden on Wednesday to see who joins group winners Spain in the quarter-finals.
The start to the game was humdrum with little goalmouth action of note but the match livened up in the 14th minute when Roman Pavlyuchenko was denied by Antonios Nikopolidis' fingertips.
Greece should have taken the lead six minutes later when the unmarked Angelos Charisteas somehow contrived to miss a gilt-edged chance when he failed to get his head on to a long free-kick into the penalty area.
The holders started to get on top and Christos Patsatzoglou did well to play in Charisteas only for the misfiring striker to lift a shot horribly high and wide.
However, a terrible 33rd-minute error by Nikopolidis allowed Russia to grab what proved to be the winning goal. The Greece goalkeeper made the wrong choice as he raced off his line only to see Sergei Semak hook the ball into the area for Zyrianov to slide his shot into an empty net.
Greece still looked dangerous at set-pieces and, although Russia were far superior in open play, Rehhagel's side created another great chance immediately after the restart when Charisteas beat the offside trap only to then mis-hit a poor effort straight at Igor Akinfeev.
Greece pushed hard for an equaliser but Guus Hiddink's side always looked dangerous on the break and from one counter-attack Pavlyuchenko shot narrowly wide.Angelos Basinas ended a slick Greece move by lifting a shot over the bar, and when Charisteas finally got an effort on target, his header was straight at Akinfeev.
Greece faded as the minutes ticked by and it was Russia that went close to doubling their lead in stoppage time when Pavlyuchenko lifted a shot over the bar when it seemed easier to score.
Main Highlights (9:37 min)
33′ 0 - 1 Konstantin Zyrianov scores the winning goal for Russia.
47′ Pavlyuchenko is denied by Nikopolidis
52′ Pavlyuchenko misses the goal this time.
53′ Karagounis‘ shot is denied by the keeper.
Greece 0 - 1 Russia
33′ [0 - 1] K. Zyrianov
Match Statistics:
shots on target : 7 - 4
shots off target : 6 - 10
possession (%) : 50 - 50
corner kicks : 7 - 9
offsides : 5 - 1
fouls : 16 - 19
yellow cards : 2 - 2
red cards : 0 - 0
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)
Attendance: 31,063
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